I have a Compaq Presario sr1420nx. It is less than 3 years old. Maybe less than 2.
It is in working order, just moves slow for some things, like WMM2 for instance

I looked around and found it has pci slots, (no agp) and that supposedly an nvidia 5500 pci graphics card can be used to upgrade this.
Also I found it has capacity of 2 G RAM. Only have 1 G in there now.

Anyway, at both tigerdirect and newegg there is this:
3DFuzion GeForce FX 5500 Video Card - 256MB DDR, PCI, VGA, TV Out, Video Card
(url at tigerdirect)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...mp;sku=B52-1022

and also various RAM bds. This is what I believe is the right one

P56-3930 :: PNY 1024MB PC2700 DDR 333MHz Memory
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...mp;sku=P56-3930

can someone verify that these parts will work and/or suggest the correct parts if not please?
Or if there is any other place or way to verify they will work.

These places have no cross reference or can tell you if the parts will work, and no refund if you get wrong parts, only a direct exchange. So I really do not want to throw away the money without trying to make sure it the right stuff.

Thanks for any replies

The RAM will work. In order for me to know if the Video Card will work, I will need to know the rated wattage on your power supply. You will have to open up the case and look at the side of the unit to find out.

Thanks for answering.
250 watts max. Original power supply.

You will need a power upgrade as well, especially since the power supply you have has aged. I recommend this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817256019


Personally, I don't feel like this machine is worth investing that much money in to.

Thanks. Yeah, I noticed this thing seems old after checking out other ones out there. Also noticed that video bd specs said 250 watts min required. So for sure that PS needs replaced too. Not looking too economical.

Just curious, would you chuck it or shelve it and build or buy a new one?
Or maybe possible to replace the entire innards with more modern better stuff?

I could not find any other upgrade info about that model.

I can't believe these things are basically obsolete so fast.

Do I understand correctly that basically lots of computers 'off the shelf' is pretty much 'low-end' junk to begin with, having lowest possible rated power supplies, and without AGP slots etc for upgrading capabilities?

Just got done buying a new HP unit which I am afraid will be old garbage in 6 months too.

This post has been edited by mequestion: Mar 22 2008, 03:38 PM

I would have been happy to help you select a new rig.

I just want to point you the same way I pointed someone else earlier. If you're already thinking "new rig" why not go ahead and do it.

This is my economical build that I would pretty much recommend to anyone looking to go ahead and build something cheap, but that will still run modern applications (Vista, Office 2007) and most games out there (If you're looking to play Crysis......get out the checkbook...I can get you by at just around 1000 bucks for that)....so anyways...here's the specs and prices.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=1599 $259.99 (Motherboard, Processor and 2GB of RAM)

On the cheaper side....but will still handle your games you'd like to play -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=1599 $169.99 (Motherboard and Processor) (You would need RAM...supports 2 GB)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...p?EdpNo=3048552 $99.99 (Video Card 8600 GT 256MB DDR3 - VERY GOOD CARD FOR THE PRICE)

Now all you need is a PSU and a CASE.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=1849 $49.99 (Case with 450 Watt PSU)

So basically for just over $400 bucks you can throw your optical drive and your hard drive into the new system. If you already have Windows XP on your hard drive and have a valid CD Key you can contact Microsoft when you finish your build and let them know you purchased a new motherboard and would like to move your hard drive and copy of Windows XP to the new system. They will give you the authorization key over the phone.